SHAKTI PERSPECTIVES
Shakti perspectives: Joshveena
Hi there! My name is Joshi, nice to e-meet you.
Question: Have you ever wondered what you would want to do if time stopped momentarily? Let's talk more!
After returning to work after a year of maternity leave only to go back on leave due to Covid-19, I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the couple of months before going back to work as we had already arranged babysitting during the day and there was only so much Netflix I could watch... I found my answer by asking the above question.
I started to draw. Then more. And more until my creative outlet was born, which would allow me to escape from reality and become my form of self-care during a crazy year of stand downs, lock downs and other downs. I also missed family and friends and found a way to make my illustrations come to life by making them into greeting cards my husband, daughter and I could send to loved ones, to let them know we were thinking of them. My inspiration came from things that brought about a smile and wanting to share this with others in a way I could, especially during a time where human interaction was limited. My drawings have since formed a space which aims to bring about smiles by sharing some ‘Jholly Good Times’ ;)
I feel that creative outlets are important because they allow you to make something of your own and the excitement you get in return is bliss! It's a form of escapism where you can imagine, experiment, see progress, meet like- minded people and the list goes on. Most importantly, you can take the time to work on something that makes you happy and that energy is contagious! Perhaps addictive also.
I believe the choices you make in life write the chapters to come so, if you're wanting to start something but don't know where to begin, reflect on all the things you love and want to do and write them down. What is on your list? This is where the magic happens. Let this list be a reminder of what you want to achieve and go for it. Just start and see how your life changes! Even if it doesn't work out at first, remember practice makes perfect. Plus you can always tweak things where need be. I think back at some of the illustrations I had done when I first started and there is a reason I haven't shared them lol! Even now, I'm still trying to perfect my craft. So go on, give yourself the freedom to think outside the box and make your story one of no regrets!
Over the past couple of years, I have been working within the diversity and inclusiveness space through primary teaching, work initiatives and South Asian community collaborations with Jholly Good Times and this continues to remind me how everyone sees the world differently. In the context of Covid-19, may the silver lining be that we all see how important self-care is - it might have stopped time momentarily, but may we be able to stop time ourselves once we are past this, for the purposes of physical and mental health and wellbeing, exercise, diet, sleep, keeping in touch with family and friends as well as creative outlets (to name a few).
This is my two cents worth, but it would be wonderful to hear about what your heart may desire too. Thank you so much to the team at Shakti for providing a place where we can meet and chat about these things and more! Looking forward to reading all the chapters as they are written ;)
Lots of love,
Joshi x
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https://www.jhollygoodtimes.com/
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